Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Welding of Low Carbon, Medium Manganese TWIP/TRIP Steel

Manganese twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steels are attractive materials for the automotive industry thanks to their combination of strength and excellent toughness. This article deals with basic microstructural and mechanical properties of sheet metal of two heats of low-carbon medium-manganese steel with different aluminium levels. Microstructure observation was carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray diffraction were used for phase analysis. In an experiment that focused on the weldability of both materials, sheet metals were laser-welded using various laser power settings, with and without shielding gas. Various combinations of joints between materials of the two heats and sheet metal conditions were tested (work-hardened upon cold rolling + annealed). Mechanical properties of the weld joints were determined using miniature tensile testing and conventional hardness measurement. The strengths of miniature specimens of the weld metal were very close to the strength of the base material.